In a historic first for Brooklyn’s Sephardic community, a wide cross-section of key community leaders formed the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF), a non-profit organization, whose goals are to advocate for the Sephardic community and work with federal, state and city governments and agencies, suggest community campaign contributions, shape policy for community and for Jewish causes, and advocate for the community’s social service organizations.
There are three parts to the SCF Mission Statement: The first is to act as an advocate for the social, educational and cultural interests of the American Sephardic Jewish community on local, national and international levels. The second is to insure our voice is heard and our institutions are served by government, and the third is to advocate for greater Jewish causes, for example: Israel, security and government funding for private education.
The SCF is the first organization able to pull together the community’s different institutions and varying interests under one umbrella to better advocate for the community as a whole. The SCF is neutral to the needs of each organization but this type of leadership can more effectively manage the community’s resources.
The SCF has hired David Greenfield as its full time Executive Director. The SCF Leadership and Working Group include Ronald Tawil, Haim Dabah, Joseph Jerome, Chuck Mamiye, Joe Sitt, Alberto Sutton, Ikey Sutton, Isaac M. Sutton, Sam A. Sutton, Joey D. Tawil and Eli (Lee) Greenberg. Eli also serves as General Counsel. Honorary chairmen are Jack Avital, Morris Bailey, Jack Benun, Joe Cayre, Stanley Chera and the Honorable Harry Franco.
The SCF’s key objectives are to generate measurable benefits from public officials through focused interaction for the overall benefit of the community, as well as to advocate on key issues. It is a given that “in unity there is strength.” For years, members of the community have lent their support to elected officials, often with no benefit.
It is the aim of the SCF to use the power of this support for the collective benefit of the community. By giving support in an organized and thoughtful way, the community can save dollars and generate new dollars for jobs, education and social needs.
One SCF strategy is to have voter registration at community high schools, at the Sephardic Community Center, synagogues and online, to provide electronic voting reminders and establish a youth leadership group.
Students in the youth leadership group have already started to register new voters, such as their parents, and earn community service points needed for graduation. Many people in the community have avoided voter registration due to a fear it will lead to jury duty when in fact, jury duty lists are generated from their driver’s license.
Additionally, the SCF has created a young leadership committee under the direction of Bobby Cayre, Morris Dabah, Jack Hidary and Sophia Tawil. The purpose of this committee is to increase the political activism of young professionals and cultivate the next generation of community leaders.
The SCF ratified a policy that if community members want to have a fundraiser for a particular candidate, it is in the best interests of the community to submit the proposal to the SCF for review and assistance.
Other Jewish communities have successfully raised money for their institutions through political activism. The SCF stands ready to become a powerful lobby that can advocate for our community and Jewish causes by shaping policy, and by generating legislation and funding. The dollars received from government agencies can help community institutions and will add to our community’s legacy of generous philanthropy.
